nailed it.
- hammarby31

I don't think it i like that. Akeson isn't some shoe in prospect. Yes Umberger will get some leash to work throught but he still brings more to the table then Akeson. If Akeson struggles with his new line he isn't going to keep getting chances. He just doesn't do enough other things. If Akeson was some top prospect he probably would get a little more leash but he just isn;t and i think a guy of Akesons skills can be found other places if needed.

I think he is using tough love to motivate Akeson, and with RJ they (Beroob and Hextall) are trying to give him some confidence at this point.

I am not always in agreement with how the coach doles out ice time, but I think I can see what they are doing with these two players.
- Marc D

Yeah, I get that...but I think Akeson could use some confidence too...forcing him into a role that he's ill suited for, and then criticzing him for his play in that role, (even though his play hasn't been that bad really) isn't a way to give a young player confidence...but he seems to be moving him up, so we'll see how it goes.

Grossmann may not drive possession, but he's very effective in the defensive zone in terms of punishing opposing forecheckers, clearing crease and making good basic plays to get the puck up the ice.
- exlund

Absolutely. And you need that kind of defenseman in the lineup.

I don't think it i like that. Akeson isn't some shoe in prospect. Yes Umberger will get some leash to work throught but he still brings more to the table then Akeson. If Akeson struggles with his new line he isn't going to keep getting chances. He just doesn't do enough other things. If Akeson was some top prospect he probably would get a little more leash but he just isn;t and i think a guy of Akesons skills can be found other places if needed.
- J35Bacher

I disagree that Umberger brings more to the table. Umberger is (probably) washed up, Akeson is a rookie type who led his AHL team in points three years leading up to his call up. He's been fine defensively too...he just hasn't got the chance to exploit his best assets playing in the role he's been given this season (thus far).

This is what bugs me about Berube...he'll make excuse after excuse for a declining/aging guy like Umberger, who has played poorly and makes numerous big mistakes, but a young player with upside like Akeson is given a leash as short as a pit bull in a neo-natal unit.
- exlund

That's the way it should be. Fair or not. A veteran player earns some leeway. An unproven rookie, hasn't earned that leeway. And I'm not sure how Akeson's leash has been that short. Right now, it's working exactly how it's supposed to work with a young player like Akeson. If you don't skate hard and compete, you find your icetime cut, or are scratched. Get a chance to get back in the lineup, play hard, and up on your skates and compete. You get a chance on a scoring line.

would you guys do an umberger for richards swap?
- 2Real

Nooo!!

Yeah, I get that...but I think Akeson could use some confidence too...forcing him into a role that he's ill suited for, and then criticzing him for his play in that role, (even though his play hasn't been that bad really) isn't a way to give a young player confidence...but he seems to be moving him up, so we'll see how it goes.
- exlund

Playing on the 4th line in a role that a player isn't suited for, isn't a valid excuse for not competing, and for turning the puck over. All Akeson had to do was play hard and compete. He failed at that for a number of games. Which is why he was scratched. Now he has earned some more playing time. We'll see how he does.

Nooo!!
- Just5

To think we have multiple years of Lecavalier and Umberger left. Good lord. Maybe they will find the fountain of youth like Barry Bonds did.

I disagree that Umberger brings more to the table. Umberger is (probably) washed up, Akeson is a rookie type who led his AHL team in points three years leading up to his call up. He's been fine defensively too...he just hasn't got the chance to exploit his best assets playing in the role he's been given this season (thus far).
- exlund

Umberger isn't great but he will get the benefit to work through this. Akeson needs to play at a certain level to keep his spot. Akeson isn't some can't miss prospect with a huge contract. Guys like him can be replace fairly easily. Yes he has played a couple good games. Unfortunately he just doesn't bhring this huge folder of skills that buy him a huge leash if not doing what the coaches need..

That's the way it should be. Fair or not. A veteran player earns some leeway. An unproven rookie, hasn't earned that leeway. And I'm not sure how Akeson's leash has been that short. Right now, it's working exactly how it's supposed to work with a young player like Akeson. If you don't skate hard and compete, you find your icetime cut, or are scratched. Get a chance to get back in the lineup, play hard, and up on your skates and compete. You get a chance on a scoring line.
- MJL

I hear you, and that's understandable to an extent, but something about the double standard still frustrates me...I know I'm probably being impatient here in regards to Akeson, but it stems from the underlying fear I have that the team will fail to put him in the best position to succeed (scoring line w PP time) before giving up on him and selling low only to see him blossom elsewhere. I'm not sure playing with Umberger and VLC is going to allow Akeson to show his what he can do, but it's a start.

I don't think it i like that. Akeson isn't some shoe in prospect. Yes Umberger will get some leash to work throught but he still brings more to the table then Akeson. If Akeson struggles with his new line he isn't going to keep getting chances. He just doesn't do enough other things. If Akeson was some top prospect he probably would get a little more leash but he just isn;t and i think a guy of Akesons skills can be found other places if needed.
- J35Bacher

of course he isn't, even though he's worked his way up to get this opportunity. for me, it's not really about the individuals themselves, it could be anyone. i don't like the short leash. if you want a guy to succeed and be valuable to your team, he's going to need to work through it and be given a reasonable opportunity to make mistakes and learn how to play the way the team wants him to - not get 5 minutes on a 4th line with virtually zero leash while the versatile vet plays like complete ass through 15 games and is given 15 minutes a night in all situations. why? because he's earned that right? because his contract is high?

i just don't agree with what he's doing.

Playing on the 4th line in a role that a player isn't suited for, isn't a valid excuse for not competing, and for turning the puck over. All Akeson had to do was play hard and compete. He failed at that for a number of games. Which is why he was scratched. Now he has earned some more playing time. We'll see how he does.
- MJL

I didn't see him being non-competitive. I saw efforts given to play the role he was asked to play... I saw him being physical, playing decent defensively, and trying to make plays with the bottom of the lineup. Can you be more specific as to when/how he failed to be competitive for a number of games? Contrast that with the past few games, which you say earned him more playing time. Thanks in advance.

You know that MacDonald's top pairing minutes have been going to Grossmann, who has been getting killed in possession numbers, right?
- Feanor

Hasn't MDZ been picking up AMac's defensive minutes (or at least sharing them w/ Grossmann) for the last several contests? Seems like he's been facing off against the other team's top-2 lines mostly, for the last little bit. Playing a heck of a lot better than AMac was, too (and AMac wasn't even playing all that badly).

I didn't see him being non-competitive. I saw efforts given to play the role he was asked to play... I saw him being physical, playing decent defensively, and trying to make plays with the bottom of the lineup. Can you be more specific as to when/how he failed to be competitive for a number of games? Contrast that with the past few games, which you say earned him more playing time. Thanks in advance.
- exlund

Berube scratching him, means he was non-competitive. You can't question Bar-Boobey. He's going to start stacking Jack Adams trophies like pancakes.

The trouble isn't that Umberger isn't scoring, it's that he's been ineffective all around. He's seeing fairly easy usage, but when he's on ice, the Flyers are getting outshot and outchanced. He hasn't been exceptionally good defensively. He's been awful, really.
- Jsaquella

I agree totally with this and I fear RJ is done but we will see. As far as Hartnell being gone I think it is a good thing. I appreciate all the great things Harts did as a Flyer and I also remember his many droughts where he could not even stand up on his skates, lol. His departure has given the Flyers a new identity and will allow for many younger players to mature and develop and get the opportunity to show what they can do. ie, Brayden Schenn, Couter and Raffl all benefit. Simmonds as well as he can be the new Hartnell.

I didn't see him being non-competitive.
- exlund

I second this.

No accusation is more lazy/convenient than the old 'compete' line.

To think we have multiple years of Lecavalier and Umberger left. Good lord. Maybe they will find the fountain of youth like Barry Bonds did.
- PLindbergh31

Unfortunately, that fountain has been declared illegal.

Though, VLC would probably look good as a blonde.

I hear you, and that's understandable to an extent, but something about the double standard still frustrates me...I know I'm probably being impatient here in regards to Akeson, but it stems from the underlying fear I have that the team will fail to put him in the best position to succeed (scoring line w PP time) before giving up on him and selling low only to see him blossom elsewhere. I'm not sure playing with Umberger and VLC is going to allow Akeson to show his what he can do, but it's a start.
- exlund

I'm not sure why Akeson is held in higher regard then Umberger and Lecavalier. I realize that Umberger is not playing well right now, but he has been a solid player his entire career. As has Lecavalier, who is still a pretty good offensive player. How is Akeson so much better that playing with those two players is beneath him? I don't get it. If all Akeson is going to bring to the ice, is offensive skills, then he's likely going to be a career AHL player. Because he's just not skilled enough, big enough, or fast enough to put up enough points without bringing more to the table. This is why the Flyers are trying to get him to compete and play better without the puck. Because if he can hold his own there, and compete in those areas, his chances of sticking in the NHL are that much better. And he's more valuable to the Flyers, because they can keep him in the lineup, and he can pitch in some offense. The Flyers need another playmaker in the lineup, so he's getting an opportunity here. And make no mistake about it. Whether he succeeds or not is all on him. Not on Lecavalier and Umberger.

To think we have multiple years of Lecavalier and Umberger left. Good lord. Maybe they will find the fountain of youth like Barry Bonds did.
- PLindbergh31

Can you imagine what we could buy with those two off the books, lol

Umberger isn't great but he will get the benefit to work through this. Akeson needs to play at a certain level to keep his spot. Akeson isn't some can't miss prospect with a huge contract. Guys like him can be replace fairly easily. Yes he has played a couple good games. Unfortunately he just doesn't bhring this huge folder of skills that buy him a huge leash if not doing what the coaches need..
- J35Bacher

Akeson is a smallish, but very skilled playmaker type. He needs to play with players that think and play the game with a certain level of skill in order for a team to realize his value. Conclusions about his potential value to a team shouldn't be made based on how he performs getting limited minutes on a checking line with the team's lowest skilled players (and no pp time). Akeson showed he can be a valuable asset when playing with good mates, like he did last season against the Rangers...you're just not going to see the value a player like him can add while playing as as a fourth line grinder.

I'm not sure why Akeson is held in higher regard then Umberger and Lecavalier. I realize that Umberger is not playing well right now, but he has been a solid player his entire career. As has Lecavalier, who is still a pretty good offensive player. How is Akeson so much better that playing with those two players is beneath him? I don't get it. If all Akeson is going to bring to the ice, is offensive skills, then he's likely going to be a career AHL player. Because he's just not skilled enough, big enough, or fast enough to put up enough points without bringing more to the table. This is why the Flyers are trying to get him to compete and play better without the puck. Because if he can hold his own there, and compete in those areas, his chances of sticking in the NHL are that much better. And he's more valuable to the Flyers, because they can keep him in the lineup, and he can pitch in some offense. The Flyers need another playmaker in the lineup, so he's getting an opportunity here. And make no mistake about it. Whether he succeeds or not is all on him. Not on Lecavalier and Umberger.
- MJL

Akeson is not in higher regard, the fact is he is affordable while the other two are grossly overpaid now and for several years. If Akeson was making Vinny money then that would be a problem.

I didn't see him being non-competitive. I saw efforts given to play the role he was asked to play... I saw him being physical, playing decent defensively, and trying to make plays with the bottom of the lineup. Can you be more specific as to when/how he failed to be competitive for a number of games? Contrast that with the past few games, which you say earned him more playing time. Thanks in advance.
- exlund

More specific in terms of what, time periods in a game? Look, there were games where he wasn't active on the forecheck, slow to react, non competitive on the boards. Along with a number of turnovers in the neutral zone. All of which caught the coaches ire, leading to time in the press box. And rightly so. The last few games, he's up on his skates, playing with energy, getting in on the forecheck, and simply competing. And there's been a clear difference. So now he's getting a chance on a scoring line. Simple as that. Lost icetime for reasons, received icetime and a higher role when he came to play. Akeson wasn't taken out of the lineup because he wasn't producing offensively. That's not the issue with his game.

Akeson is not in higher regard, the fact is he is affordable while the other two are grossly overpaid now and for several years. If Akeson was making Vinny money then that would be a problem.
- flyerdude17

None of my points had anything to do with salary. And in the post I replied to, Akeson was held in higher regard.

I second this.

No accusation is more lazy/convenient than the old 'compete' line.
- Tomahawk

also agree.

Akeson is a smallish, but very skilled playmaker type. He needs to play with players that think and play the game with a certain level of skill in order for a team to realize his value. Conclusions about his potential value to a team shouldn't be made based on how he performs getting limited minutes on a checking line with the team's lowest skilled players (and no pp time). Akeson showed he can be a valuable asset when playing with good mates, like he did last season against the Rangers...you're just not going to see the value a player like him can add while playing as as a fourth line grinder.
- exlund

So then tell me where Akeson should play.

Is he bumping someone off the top line?

Is he bumping someone off the Couturier line?

Berube is trying him with Vinny. He is getting a chance. But don't give me this stuff about since he was a scorer in the AHL he needs to play with skill guys. You want to know a scorer in the AHL who can come up and not miss a beat playing fourth line minutes? Kris Newbury. Patrick Maroon. My thing is i don't care what he does in the AHL. It is what he does in his chances in the NHL and he hasn't brought enough in his limited minutes to suggest he get more of a chance. The past two games he played well and will get a look see but if he sticks he will be back to 4th line or scratch.